Storing of airplanes



Aug. 9, 1932- w. M. PIERSON STORING OF AIRPLANES Filed Sept. 4, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l amt iVz'nferdMR'erSarz carrier element ?atented Aug. 9, 1932 warren stares retain rarest ee ie-s STORING .OF AIRPLANE-S Application filed September planes in a compact manner; to provide for the storing of airplanes in sidewlse relation in a manner whereby the wings of one will go to the tail of another thereby providing for a material saving in storage space; to Y expeditiously move an airplane into and out of a storage space, such as a hangar to quickly store an airplane in the desired position when occasion requires o provide for the po Y sitioning the successive alrplanes to be stored in opposite directions wh reby when stored they will be alternately'disposed with respect to each other; and to-attain these ends in a strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient and comparatively inexpensive structure.

To the above ends essentially my invention consists in such parts and combination of parts as fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. 1

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan, partly in section of a structure in accordance with this invention and illustrating a plurality of airplanes in stored position.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of an airplane *arrier element or truck showing the arrangement thereof with respect to a pair of oppositely inclined ramps.

Figure 8 is across sectional view of the and with the latter shown relative to a ramp.

*igure i is a cross sectional view hangar element. "When storing airplanes, in accordance with this invention, they are successively shifted in opposite direction upon carriers, in a manner whereby the tail of every alternate one siiifted will be arranged at the wings of the others so that when stored in the hangar elenient they will be arranged transversely of the latter and positioned in the manner as shown in Figure 1.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a hangar ele ment of materially greater len h than width of the of a width slightly greater than the length of any of the airplanes to be stored,

4:, 1931. Serial No. 561,264.

' The element 1 can be constructed in any suitable manner and as shown is provided with doors 2 for closing each end thereof.

Extendin lengthwise of the element 1 is a track of a length to project the desired distance from each end of the element 1. The track includes a pair of spaced rails 3, li which are spaced the same distance from the ides of element 1. v

Leading to the rails 3, 4: are oppositely dis posed, upwardly inclined ramp elements 5, 6 respectively and each of which at its upper end is provided with a hinged bridge piece 7. The elements 5, 6 are arranged a substantial distance beyond the end 8 of elementl. 7 V 3 Travelling upon the rails 8, 4; are airplane carrier or transferring-elements' 9 and the purpose thereofis to recelve the airplanes 10 from the ramp elements and transfer them to the position shown in Figure 1. Each of the carrier elements 9 is in the form of a rectangular platform 11 secured upon a pair of spaced supports 12 formed with oppositely extending arms 13 carrying wheels or rollers 14 travelling on the rails 3, l. Each carrier is adapted to be arranged betwen the ramp elements in spaced relation with respect to the upper ends of the latter. The bridge 7 pieces 7 are then swung upon the platform 11 to bridge the space betwen the latter and the ramp element. V

WVhen a carrier is arranged in the manner as referred to an airplane is run up ramp element 5 and upon the carrier. The carrier is then'shi'fted to transfer the airplane into the hangar element to the position indicated at A. The next airplane is then run up ramp element 6 and upon a second carrier and the latter is shifted to transfer the airplane into the hangar element to the position indicated at B and whereby the wings of the latter will be at the tail'of the first airplane stored. This storing is continued in a manner as referred to, that is to say the airplanes are alternately run up the ramp elements to position the airthe carriers whereieu ; travelling on said tive to each other.

The carriers or trucks may be of any type desired, manually shiftable or driven by an internal combustion or electric motor. IVhen electrically driven, preferably the track will be of the third rail type.

hat I claim is 1. In storing airplanes, a track extending through the hangar element and extending from each end of the latter, spaced means travelling on the track for supporting airplanes transversely of and oppositely disposed with respect to each other in storage position within said hangar element whereby the wing of one will extend to the tail of another, and oppositely extending inclined permanently stationary ramp elements associated with said means, located on opposite sides of the track at a point removed from the hangar element.

2. In storing airplanes, a hangar element, a track extending through the hangar element and'extending from each end of the latter, spaced means travelling on the track for supporting airplanes transversely of and oppositely disposed with respect to each other in storage position within said hangar element whereby the wing of one will extend to thetail of another, oppositely extendinginclined permanently stationary ramp elements associated with said means, located on opposite sides of the track at a point removed from the hangar element, and each of said ramp elements at its upper end provided with a hinged bridge piece for alternate extension upon said spaced means'when loading airplanes thereon.

' In storing airplanes, a hangar element, a track extending therethrough, airplane carriers permanently horizontally disposed and track for transferring airplanes into said element and disposing them transversely of the latter, horizontally and spaced, oppositely inclined, stationary means leading to opposite side of said carriers for positioning the airplanes on the latter.

4. In a method of storing airplanes, successively mounting to extend lengthwise in opposite directions airplanes tally upon independent portable supporting carriers travelling upon a common track therefor whereby the tail of each subsequent- 1y mormted airplane will oppose the wing of the other mounted airplanes, and then successively moving said carriers with the horizontally disposed airplanes thereon into and transversely of a hangar element whereby the airplanes will be stored horizontally in and transversely of the latter in sidewise opposed relation and a hangar element,

In storing airplanes, a hangar element, a track extending therethrough and extended beyond the ends of said element, a plurality of airplane supporting carriers traveling on said track for positioning and sup-.

. extended from one end of horizonoppositely disposed rela-,

porting the airplanes within and transversely of said element, and oppositely inclined, stationary ramp elements selectable alternately to coact successively with the carriersfor positioning the airplanes in oppositely disposed relation upon the carriers transversely with respect to the track. 7 o 7 6. In storing airplanes, a hangar element, a track within and centrally of the latter and extended from one end of said hangar, a plurality of sidewise opposed, independent airplane carriers travelling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes flatwise in oppositely disposed relation sidewise, transversely of and in storage position within said hangar element whereby the Wing of one airplanewill extend to the tail of an adjacent plane, and a pair of permanently stationary, oppositely inclined ramp elements located in spaced relation to opposite sides of said track and in spaced relation to said end of said'hangar element, said ramp elements being free of connection to, spaced from and being alternately selectable for as sociation with said carriers.

7. In storing airplanes, a hangar element, a track within and centrally of the latter and said-hangar, a plurality of sidewise opposed, independent airplane carriers travelling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes flatwise in oppositely disposed relation sidewise, transversely of and in storage position within said hangar element whereby the wing of one airplane will extend to the tail-of an adjacent plane, a pair of permanently stationary, oppositely inclined ramp elements located in spaced relation to opposite sides of said track and in spaced relation to said end of said hangar element, said. ramp elements being free of connection to, spaced from and being alternately selectable fora association with said carriers, and said track extended from the other end of said hangar element.

8. In storing airplanes, a hangar element, a track within and centrally of the latter and extended from one end of said hangar, a plurality of sidewise opposed, independent airplane carrierstravelling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes flatwise in oppositely disposed Y relation sidewise, transversely of and in storage position within said hangar element whereby the wing of one airplane will extend to the tail of an adjacent plane, a pair of permanently stationary, oppositely inclined ramp elements located in spaced relation to opposite sides of said track and in spaced relation to said end of said hangar element, said ramp elements being free of connection to, spaced from and being alternately selectable for association with said carriers, and each of said carriers at the top thereof extending laterally in opposite directions with respect to said track.

9.- I11 storing airplanes, a hangar element, a

track within and centrally of the latter and extended from one end of said hangar, a plurality of sidewise opposed, independent airplane carriers travelling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes flatwise in oppositely disposed relation sidewise, transversely of. and in storage position within said hangar element wherebythe wing of one airplane will extend to the tail of an adjacent plane, a pair of permanently stationary, oppositely inclined ramp elements located in spaced relation to opposite sides of said track and in spaced relation to said end of said hangar element, said ramp elements being free of connection to, spaced from and being alternately selectable for association with said carriers, said track extended from the other end of said hangar element, and each of said carriers at the top thereof extending laterally in opposite directions with respect to said track.

10. In storing airplanes, a hangar element, a track within and centrally of the latter and extended from one end of said hangar, a plurality of sidewise opposed, independent airplane carriers travelling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes flatwise in oppositely disposed relation sidewise, transversely of and in storage position within said hangar element whereby the wing of one airplane will extend to the tail of an ad jacent plane, a pair of permanently station ary, oppositely inclined ramp elements located in spaced relation to opposite sides of said track and in spaced relation to said end of said hangar element, said ramp elements being free of connection to, spaced from and being alternately selectable for association with said carriers, and each of said ramp elements at its upper end having a hinged bridge piece for selectively positioning upon a side of a carrier to bridge the space between the latter and the ramp element.

11. In storing airplanes, a hanger element, a track within and centrally of the latter and extended from one end of said hangar, a plurality of sidewise opposed, indep ndent airplane carriers travelling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes flatwise in oppositely disposed relation sidewise, transversely of and in storage position within said hangar element whereby the wing of one airplane will extend to the tail of an adjacent plane, a pair of permanently stationary, oppositely inclined ramp elements located in spaced relation to opposite sides of said track and in spaced relation to said end of said hangar element, said ramp elements being free of connection to, spaced from and being alternately selectable for association with said carriers, said track extended from the other end of said hangar element, and each of said ramp elements at its upper end having a hinged bridge piece for selectively positioning upon a side of a tion sidewise,

said ramp elements being a hangar elewithin and centrally of the latter and extended from one end of said 4 hangar a plurality of sidewise opposed, in dependent airplane carriers travelling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes fiatwise in oppositely disposed relation sidewise, transversely of and in storage position within said hangar element where by the wing of one airplane will extend to the tail of an adjacent plane, a pair of permanently stationary, oppositely inclined ramp elements located in spaced relation to opposite sides of said track and in spaced relation to said end of said hangar element, said ramp elements being free of connection to, spaced from and being alternately selectable for association with said carriers, eac of said carriers at the top thereof extending laterally in opposite directions with respect to said track, and each of said ramp elements at its upper end having a hinged bridge piece for selectively positioning upon a side of a carrier to bridge the space between the latter andthe ramp element.

13. In storing airplanes, a hanger element, a track within and centrally of the latter and extended from one 7 end of said hangan'a plurality of sidewise opposed, independentairplane carriers travelling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes flatwise in oppositely disposed relatransversely of and in storage position within said hangar element whereby the wing of one airplane will extend to the tail of an adjacent plane, a pair of permanently stationary, oppositely inclined ramp elements located in spaced relation to opposite sides of said track and in spaced relation to said end of said hangar element, free of connection to, spaced from and being alternately selectable for association with said carriers, said track extended from the other end of said hangar element, each of said carriers at the top thereof extending laterally in opposite directions with respect to said track, and each of said ramp elements at its upper end having a hinged bridge piece for selectively positioning upon a side of a carrier to bridge the space between the latter and the ramp element. 7 i i 14. In storing airplanes, a hangar element, a track within and extended from one 7 end of said element, supporting means travcling upon said track for receiving and supporting airplanes fiatwise in oppositely disposed relation sidewise, transversely of and in storage position within said element whereby the wing of one airplane will extend to the tail of an adjacent airplane, and a pair combined airplane guiding and loading of alternately selectable, stationary,

means located in spaced relation to and dis- 5 posed laterally with respect to opposite sides 7 of the track andproviding for guiding an airplane towards said supporting means when loading it on the latter, said'combined guiding and loading means being arranged outwardly of the said end of said element. In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto. 7

WIN FERD M. PIERSON. 

